The 2015 inductee to the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor is a former football standout and coach, league officials announced on Thursday.
Juan Castillo from Texas A&M-Kingsville comprises the 2015 class for the LSC Hall of Honor, which recognizes outstanding individuals who have brought pride and honor to the conference through their contributions as an athlete or who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the betterment of the conference as a coach or administrator.
Castillo, who is the 12th Javelina to be enshrined, was chosen by a panel of athletic administrators throughout the league.
“We are pleased to announce the addition of Juan Castillo to the Lone Star Conference Hall of Honor. He is very deserving of this honor due to his tremendous success in this league as both a player and coach. His accomplishments in the NFL, including winning Super Bowl XLVII as part of the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff, have brought great pride and honor to the LSC,” said LSC Commissioner Jay Poerner.
Castillo will receive the LSC’s signature Hall of Honor award, a 15-inch custom-sculpted eagle figurine mounted on a cherry wood base. The award for Castillo is to be presented this fall.
Here is a closer look at the 2015 inductee to the LSC Hall of Honor:
Juan Castillo, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Football: Castillo was a player and coach at Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) before becoming a coach in the National Football League. He has coached in the NFL for the past 21 years.
Castillo played linebacker for the Javelina football team from 1978-80 and was part of the 1979 NAIA national championship squad. He earned NAIA All-District and All-Lone Star Conference distinction.
Castillo began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Javelinas from 1982-85 and moved to the high school coaching ranks for four seasons before returning in 1990 as the Javelinas offensive line coach. He guided five players who were NCAA Division II All-Americans and four that went on to play in the NFL. Jermane Mayberry was a first-round draft pick after finishing his college career and Earl Dotson played for the World Champion Green Bay Packers.
While with the Javelinas, Castillo participated in NFL summer internship programs with Tampa Bay, Seattle and Buffalo.
Castillo, a 34-year coaching veteran, is in his third season with the Baltimore Ravens and his second as the team’s offensive line coach. He earned a Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl XLVII when Baltimore defeated San Francisco, 34-31, on Feb. 3, 2013.
Before going to the Ravens, he was with the Philadelphia Eagles for 18 seasons, including two as defensive coordinator (2011-12) and 13 as the team’s offensive line coach (1998-2010). The team had 11 playoff appearances, six divisional titles, one conference championship and appeared in a Super Bowl with Castillo on the staff.
An impressive attribute of Castillo has been his work with young coaches and players who have a desire to improve. At any time and on any occasion when he gathers with players and/or coaches, it becomes a coaching clinic.
He is one of a few coaches in league history of Hispanic descent, and his fluency in Spanish has allowed him to promote the game to a Spanish-speaking audience. In 2002, Castillo and his wife, Zaida, were invited by then-President George W. Bush for a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the White House.
Castillo holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from TAMUK and is a 2004 inductee to the Javelina Hall of Fame.
He and Zaida have four sons. The Port Isabel native played for the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL before becoming a coach. Port Isabel, Texas declared July 4, 2009 to be "Juan Castillo Day" and presented Castillo with a key to the city.